True worship

My Bible study this morning was Isaiah 58. Wow! What a powerful chapter that is. I encourage you to read it and let God minister to you.

Israel is complaining that the Lord isn't listening to them, even though they are fasting. The Lord quickly points out that they are fasting for selfish reasons. Then He tells them the kind of fasting He desires:

"Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help." (Isaiah 58:6-7 NLT)

"Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble." (Isaiah 58: 9b-10a NLT)

That sounds like a lifestyle change to me. That's true worship. God wants us to help the poor and the homeless. This is only one chapter in the Bible that deals with this issue. There are many other verses where God calls us to help the poor.

It is evident that God wants His people to help those in need. Not just one time, like at Christmas, but throughout the year. And, don't do it for selfish reasons. Don't do it then say, "OK God, I've done my duty. Now bless me."

No, make it a lifestyle. When you do, then the true blessings of God will come upon you. Look at what God says are the results of doing what He tells us to in Isaiah 58: 6-7, 9b-10a NLT):

"Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply." (Isaiah 58: 8-9a NLT)

"Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes." (Isaiah 58: 10b-12 NLT)

Wow! Now that's awesome! God is awesome! Help the needy. Help those who cannot repay you, like Jesus talks about in Luke 14:12-14, "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

When you help Love In Action through financial donations, volunteering your time, and donating items, you are helping us help the needy like God tells us to do. When the Body of Christ works together, it's awesome seeing how God blesses and uses that to change the lives of others. We serve such an awesome and loving God.